Translation of abstract (English)

During the Middle Ages in India, wandering mystics roamed through large parts of the subcontinent (North India, Maharashtra and Bengal) as well as Tibet. Those mendicants are known as Nathas, Nathayogis or Nathasiddhas. Practicing and teaching hatha- and kundalini-yoga, they had a significant influence on people´s spiritual life. This dissertation presents a study of the Nathayogis´ teachings as well as spiritual practices. The Vivekadarpana or 'Mirror of Discriminating Reflexion', a text from the 13th century, serves as basis for the study. One of the characteristics of the Vivekadarpana is, that it is not only composed in Old-Marathi - in that respect, it holds an exceptional position among the Nathas´ texts, which are mostly written in Sanskrit - but also written in a secret or coded script. Another interesting aspect of the Vivekadarpana is its eclecticism. Teachings from different philosophical systems, concepts of thinking, mythological ideas as well as spiritual practices of diverse tantric and yogic backgrounds have been collected here. Although it doesn´t constitute a comprehensive philosophical doctrinal system, it still contains a considerable range of teachings. Topics mentioned among others are: 'the absolute consciousness', 'the individual soul', 'the subtle body', 'the micro-macro cosmos correlation', 'the guru-disciple relationship', 'the siddha' and 'the hatha-yoga'. Since the Vivekadarpana is aimed at the sadhaka, the practicing yogi, it is not only a philosophical text. According to the Nâthayogis, information alone does not lead to knowledge or a deeper insight, let alone to an ontological transformation from jiva to Shiva, from a human being to the highest, all-encompassing consciousness, which is the goal and highest aspiration of the Nathayogis. Therefore, the Vivekadarpana is also a practical yoga handbook which gives ample consideration to clear instructions and advice for people following yogasadhana.